Justine and Stuart McBeath have recently purchased a new home in Weston Homes £60 million (GDV) Aldershot, Hampshire development, Gun Hill Park. Of palatial proportions and with a landmark clocktower, Weston Homes’ redevelopment of Gun Hill Park instantly caught the McBeaths’ eyes.
Gun Hill Park opened in 1907, as the world-renowned Cambridge Military Hospital. It was the first British hospital in history to receive casualties directly from the battle front. Based on Florence Nightingale’s design principles, the impressive Grade II Listed building has grand rooms, and huge windows that provided ample natural light and fresh air to aid soldiers’ recovery.
On February 2nd 1996, the hospital was officially closed. In 2019 Weston Homes bought the site and, with impressive architectural vision and a small army of stonemasons and expert builders, set about the conversion project, creating new homes both within the hospital – retaining as many original features as possible – and including some new-build properties in the landscaped grounds.
Relocating to Britain from Johannesburg for Stuarts’ new job, Justine, and Stuart’s plan of moving into a new-build house with a garden soon changed direction. After never thinking they would move to an apartment, an extraordinary piece of history changed the whole plan for the couple.
Justine, and Stuart had planned on moving to a new-build property, with a garden, for their two dogs. However, when an advertisement by Weston Homes, highlighting Gun Hill Park, popped up on Justine’s Facebook, the two immediately knew this was the home for them.
Justine explained, “We have a big family who have all decided to come to the UK from Johannesburg. They have all left home and have partners, but we were used to big houses. Suddenly we were thinking about a new option – apartment living.”
Justine and Stuart’s apartment in The Cambridge Building faces onto a woodland area, perfect for their two much-loved miniature greyhounds. Inside, the apartment has two en-suite bedrooms, with two beautiful terraces. French windows from the principal bedroom open onto a large terrace garden, while the second terrace can be found adjacent to the living area. Contemporary wood effect strip flooring complements the white goods and kitchen beautifully, whilst fitted wardrobes and two luxurious bathrooms are ideal for modern day living.
Working from home for his new job near Gun Hill Park, Stuart enjoys the relaxed setting, walking the dogs, and watching the sunset over the historic grounds.
As soon as they laid eyes upon the heritage building in which their apartment is situated, the couple instantly fell in love and soon realised that “it was the best decision we had ever made”. Justine says: “I am in love with historical buildings. We go into the main building here and look at all the pictures of the royal families visiting the hospital. We are living in history.”
The homes at Gun Hill Park are designed and built with Weston Homes’ focus on sustainable living and reduced energy costs. “This home is really energy efficient,” Justine says, “After having rented a big house in Farnborough with huge electricity bills, it is really good to have these low costs. And with these large windows, we have loads of natural light.”
The couple expressed the smoothness and positivity in the buying process, as they say that they have “nothing but praise for the Weston Homes sales office staff”, as they had been exceptionally helpful. Justine explained that while they had a mortgage in place, there was still a lot involved with the moving process, however the sales team were wonderful and made the process as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Justine and Stuart moved in just before Christmas and are extremely happy that their three daughters and one son live so close to their new dream property. Of course, all of the family wanted to visit Gun Hill Park for Christmas and Justine and Stuart happily entertained 16 family and friends on Christmas day, the perfect housewarming. The celebrations continued into New Year’s Eve, with the couple, along with their loved ones, watching the fireworks from their terrace.
Suzanne Aplin, Group Sales & Marketing Director of Weston Homes says: “Gun Hill Park represents a unique fusion of historical significance and contemporary living. We are thrilled to witness Justine and Stuart McBeath’s journey from Johannesburg to their new apartment, where they’ve found not just a home, but a piece of living history. At Weston Homes, we take pride in crafting new communities. Their experience echoes the essence of what Gun Hill Park embodies – a testament to timeless elegance.”
Homes at Gun Hill Park start from £287,000 for a one-bedroom apartment. For further information on Gun Hill Park, contact Weston Homes contact Tel: +44 (0)1252 957 843 or click here.
